Brace for Joshua in CL opener

Reds breeze past Rostov

Created on 13-09-2016 at 22:35 PM
by Redaktion

FC Bayern made a successful start to their 2016/17 Champions League campaign, beating outclassed FC Rostov 5-0 on Tuesday evening. Robert Lewandowski netted from the spot before birthday boy Thomas Müller doubled the lead shortly before the interval. Joshua Kimmich grabbed a third after the break before rounding off his brace on the hour mark. Juan Bernat made it five for FCB with the final whistle imminent. The Bavarians set a new record along the way: Tuesday's victory was their 13th consecutive win in a Champions League home match.

The German record champions lined up with Manuel Neuer in goal behind a defensive unit comprising Rafinha, Mats Hummels, Javi Martínez and David Alaba. Arturo Vidal, Kimmich and Thiago featured in midfield, with Müller, Douglas Costa and Lewandowski in the forward line. Juan Bernat replaced Hummels, who took a boot to his face in the first half, shortly after the break. Ribéry came on for Costa, who turned in an excellent display including two assists, before Renato Sanches took over from Thiago.

The 71,000 capacity crowd at the Allianz Arena saw the Reds control the meeting from the off. Carlo Ancelotti's troops tried to crack the Russian visitors' back five with crosses from both sides at first, but failed to create chances against three tall centre-backs in the box. But Bayern's patience paid off when Lewandowski was hauled down in the box following a corner and slotted home the ensuing penalty midway through the first half. Müller, who turned 27 on Tuesday, doubled the lead, beating the visitors' rearguard to an angled Costa cross in the dying stages of the first half.

Kimmich shines once more

Bayern showed no signs of easing up in the second half. Chances were coming thick and fast for the Bavarians now as their superiour fitness began to tell. Kimmich drove home another well-placed Costa cross shortly after the break, before the defensive all-rounder then topped his already excellent Bundesliga display against Schalke, completing his brace with a sumptuous header after a Bernat set-piece and taking his September tally to four goals. Bernat rounded off the scoreline shortly before the final whistle.

The victory means Bayern top Group D, equal on points with Atlético who won 1-0 away to Eindhoven. The Bavarians will be back in Bundesliga action in four days, entertaining FC Ingolstadt on Saturday. Their next Champions League opponents will be Atlético: FC Bayern have an appointment in Madrid on 28 September.